Senate asks FG to name school after late Afenifere leader Fasoranti

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, by naming an educational institution after him. The call came on Wednesday during plenary, eight days after Fasoranti died on 20 October 2026 at the age of 100.

Lawmakers observed a minute's silence in his honour. They also resolved to send a delegation to Ondo State to condole with his family and the state government.

The move followed a motion of urgent public importance by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central). He described Fasoranti as a committed nationalist whose work in education and democratic governance would not be forgotten.

Why it matters

Fasoranti was born in Akure on 11 May 1926 and built his early career in education. According to Adegbonmire, he founded a nursery and primary school and Akure High School, among other institutions, helping to expand schooling in what is now Ondo State. Outlets gave the nursery and primary school different names: Vanguard called it Omolere Nursery and Primary School, while The Whistler and The Sun called it Omooluorogbo Nursery and Primary School.

For ordinary families in the state, that record is part of why lawmakers want a school to carry his name.

The senator traced Fasoranti's political life to his days as a follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group in the First Republic, and later the Unity Party of Nigeria in the Second Republic. He was a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy and became leader of Afenifere after the death of Pa Abraham Adesanya.

Sources differ slightly on his time in government. Vanguard reported that Fasoranti served as commissioner for finance in the old Ondo State under Governor Michael Adekunle Ajasin between 1979 and 1985, while The Whistler and The Sun put the period at 1979 to 1983.

Adegbonmire said Fasoranti was among prominent Nigerians who opposed military rule and pressed for a return to democracy. He added that the elder statesman worked with groups such as Arewa and Ohanaeze Ndigbo for a united Nigeria.

Seconding the motion, Senator Jide Ipinsagba (APC, Ondo North) said Fasoranti often stepped in to settle disputes among young people, elders and other groups. "His death is like a burnt library to all the people in the State because of the knowledge that we tapped from him," Ipinsagba said.

The Senate adopted three prayers: the minute of silence, the condolence visit to Ondo State, and the recommendation that an educational institution be named after Fasoranti in recognition of his contribution to education in Yorubaland.

What happens next

The resolution is a recommendation to the Federal Government, which decides whether and where to name an institution. The Senate delegation is expected to travel to Ondo State to deliver its condolences in person.